[TPIN] Strength/fast twitch/slow twitch/

[David Arndt]

For me, when I go back to these fundamentals, things work better:

1) Let the *sound production* guide the physical aspects. 

When the sound and attacks are good, and they feel natural and easy -
chances are, I'm playing correctly.

I also think Roddy's comments on efficiency of playing are dead on correct:
a very valuable concept.  Taking a day or two off can reveal a lot when you
start up again after some down time.  Down time is definitely part of
training discipline.

---

2) The breath should never be forced.

Most good voice teachers tell us it is possible to sing anything with just a
quick, natural breath - a "snatch breath" as voice teachers call it. (I find
the comparison between singing and playing a brass instrument to be
illuminating).  Raphael Mendez said "only as much air as you would use to
speak"...

Not to say one shouldn't fill up - but it needs to be natural.  If you've
got to stretch and strain to play, it won't last long anyway.

---

There is also the phsycological aspect: I always notice that as long as the
sound is good (resonant), I *want* to keep playing - the long phrases and
endurance become easier because it's mentally pleasing, and musical.  That
factors into the endurance equation.

I've certainly found the Caruso concepts to be helpful, in that they point
to the need for 'physical conditioning' and 'flexibility' as something that
you 'just have to do' to maintain the machine that produces the music (in
that way, not too different that what Claude Gordon or Clarke emphasized).
Laurie Frink and John McNeils book "Flexus" is very common sense - and a
great guide on physical conditioning for mature players:  A very good
application of the Caruso concepts.
 
But this being said, I think it is easy to 'over do' this kind of thing
also.  In the end, it's about music, not lifting weights, running laps, or
deep knee bends, right?  

Finally, the sports analogies are probably overworked.  Music - and trumpet
playing - has more dimension and complexity than most sports.  

Hockey?  That might be different <ggg>.  

Slow twitch?  Fast twitch?  No twitch?   Maybe it's all "BS-twitch".

Just my 2 cents on "the puzzle".

- da


-----Original Message-----
From: tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu [mailto:tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu] On
Behalf Of RoddyTpt at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 12:20 AM
To: tpin at tpin.okcu.edu
Subject: Re: [TPIN] Strength/fast twitch/slow twitch/

I've been interetsed to read comments on this thread....
 
My opinion...
 
First of all, playing high EASILY is a matter of an efficient lip  position,
wind control and lip sensitivity.
 
I just had 10 days off due playing trumpet due to ill health. 
 
Then, I picked up the trumpet and after a warm up of 3 second  line G's
lasting in total about 1 minute, I played really high,  easily.